Taxi Driver Online

Blind man snubbed by Brighton taxi driver - due to "fear of dogs"
http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4832722. ... _of_dogs_/


A taxi driver refused to take a blind man and his guide dog to the Labour Party conference in Brighton because he is afraid of dogs.

What he did not know was that John Dickinson-Lilley is a parliamentary officer for the Royal National Institute for the Blind Mr Dickinson-Lilley was at the conference to lobby ministers and MPs for improved rights for the blind and partially sighted.

He arrived at Brighton station on the first day of the conference at the Brighton Centre on September 27.

Station staff showed him and his black Labrador guide dog Jimmy to the taxi rank where he queued with MPs and a Secretary of State.

But Mohammad Babak refused to let them into the Brighton and Hove Streamline taxi he was driving.

Mr Dickinson-Lilley, from Norwich, said: “The driver said 'no, no dogs'.

“I explained that he was a guide dog – Jimmy was in his harness – and that he was obliged to carry me and the dog.

“The driver said he did not carry dogs, including guide dogs and that the cab was not his anyway.”

Station staff also appealed to Babak but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

Mr Dickinson-Lilley said: “I felt completely humiliated and embarrassed.

“I am a Parliamentary Officer and had been embarrassed infront of senior MPs who I might have to work with."

Babak, 25, of Carden Hill, Brighton, admitted failing to comply with his duty to carry Mr Dickinson-Lilley and Jimmy when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Lucinda Dore, defending, said Babak had medical evidence to back his claims that he is allergic to dogs and is frightened of them.

She added: “That apart he wants to apologise for the distress that this caused to the victim of this offence."

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I am reliably informed that in the queue at the rank was a couple of MPs and a Secretary of State.

Now bearing in mind that it was Labour Party Conference week, that driver must be the thickest ***t ever to have driven a cab.

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IDFIMH

Strange that at the time the driver didn't mention this allergy or show his evidence.

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Grandad,

I have just had an idea
Before johnny ma hat ma coat foreigner gets his licence he should be made to cuddle a pit bull

What was his sentence for this offence.

I understand anybody not wanting to take dogs, especially in a saloon car, but I have to agree with Sussex. This driver has to be the thickest ***t ever, never mind the labour conference, he is on the station rank in front of station staff, it was bound to be reported.

£67.50 fine.
£15.00 victim surcharge.
£200.00 costs.

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IDFIMH

Guide dogs are better behaved than most of my passengers.

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Wishing I was in Greenhall Whitley Land.

And lost licence for beaching the disability act if the council has any sense

Not for a one off offence.

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IDFIMH